Flexible electrical connection device and the like.



CHARLES ALBERT KELLER, or PARIS, FRANCE'.

FLEXIBLE ELEoTRioAL oo'NivEc'iioiv DEVICE AND THE LIKE.

No. l891,343.

Application filed December 7, 1907. Serial No. 405.603.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jurie 23, 1908.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, CHARLES ALBERT KELLER, citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Paris, France, have invented new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Flexible Electrical Connection Devices and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flexible electrical connection devices more particularly those to which an up and down movement Amust be given-as in those used in connection with the electrode or electrodes of electric furnaces. Such electrodes are usually arranged vertically necessitating the use of supple or ilexible connections capable of following their up and down movements caused by electric regulation. As a rule, large flexible copper cables are used for the purpose. This arrangement requires a comparatively large space and is very awkward in furnaces having several vertical electrodes, more particularly when such electrodes are used for the discharge and return of the current ln the latter case, in fact, ashort circuit between vthe two poles is liable to occur. According to4 this invention airairangement is provided by means of which it is possible to obtain a flexible connection requiring very small horizontal space, practically scarcely exceeding that of the 'electrode itself.

' In the accompanying drawing which shows one form of flexible connection by way of example, Figure-1 is a front elevation of a flexiblev connection shown in the raised position of the electrode. Fig. 2 is a Side elevation thereof, and Fig. 3 is a front' elevation of the same connection shown unfolded and in the low position of the electrode.

.The device according to this invention comprises very flexible and /thin bars (L for instance half a'r'nillimeter` thick, coni'iccted on the one handto'the fixed upper conductor b supplying the current and on the other hand to the support or holder c of the i electrode. These flexible bars are divided into two groups A and B connected at several points of their length by suitable binding devices d. A uide rod e arranged at eachside` of the holrgler c and engaging with a lateraltube f secured tothe upper binding device forces thebars to rise or to descend vertically when therelectrode receives a vertical movement. The points of connection d bring about, the formation of separateloops g which contract or expand accordingto the position to be given to the electrode. ln this way a very practical flexible connection is obtained between the conductors or bars supplying the current and the electrode, without the connections being brought into contact with the llames of the furnace. 'The guidingis easily e'llected by means of one or two symmetrical rods e engaging with the tubes f which are supported at one or more points in their length by brackets h secured tc the binding devices 'd as shown in Fig. 2.

To obtain satisfactory results, it is necessary 'to connect the bars or blades a, of a flexible group in such a manner that their curves are not absolutely the same. This result is easily obtained by slightly varying the length of all these blades.

.lt will be understood that the details-of (.:onstruction may be varied without departing from this inventionf y Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the saine is to be performed, l declare that what l claim is l. A flexible electrical connection Icomprising a pair of groups of electrical conductors, each group comprising a plurality of strips ofelectrically conducting flexible material arranged in superposed'relation, separable parts electrically secured to said conductors and movable apart from each other a distance less than the length of said strips whereby the same are maintained slack, a rod secured to one of said parts, a tube telescoping said rod, and means looping the slack in. said strips and connecting Ithe loops to said tube.

2. A flexible electrical connection coinprising a pair of4 groups of electrical conductors, each group comprising a plurality of strips of electri rally conducting flexible material arranged in supcrposed relation and in contact throughout their length, the strips of cach group having different lengths, scparablc parts electricallysecured to said conductors and movable apart from each other,

a distance less than the length of said strips whereby the same are maintained slack, a rod secured to one of said parts, and means loopingthe slack-insaid strips and slidably connected with said. rod

3. A flexible electrical connection 'comprising a pair of groups of electrical conductorsbcach group comprising a plurality of strips of electrically conducting flexible inaterial, separable parts electrically secured to said conductors 4and movablel apart from each othera distance less than the length of said strips whereby the same are maintained slack,v and means looping the slack in said stri s7 saidmeans being slidably connected wit one of said parts.

4. A flexible electrical connection cornprising a pair of groups of electrical conductors, each rou com rising a lilr'alit ofA g P P Y strips of electrically' conductin eXible ina'- teral, separableparts electrica ly secured`to said'conductors and movable apart from eachother a distance less than the length of said strips whereby the same are maintained slack," and means looping the vslack in said strips.

5. A flexible electrical connectlon comprising an electrical conductor composed of a plurality of strips of electrically conducting iie-Xible material, se arable parts electrically secured tosaid con uctor and movable apart from each -other adistance less than the' In testimony 'whereof I have aflixed my signature, 'in presence of two subscribingl Witnesses CHARLESIALBERT KELLER. Witnesses:

DEAN B. MASON, JULIEN CAVEEIN. 

